International, exchange and study abroad students arrival guide

You are about to join a community of international, exchange and study abroad students from over 140 countries. Find out the essential information you need to know for when you leave home, arrive on campus, and settle into university life. 

Visa requirements

Information if you require a visa for your studies at Surrey.

International students

Check your CAS carefully and ensure that you apply for your visa in good time. 

Successful Student Visa applicants from outside the EU/EEA will be issued with a digital immigratio permission and should follow instructions in your visa decision about how to prove your immigration status. 

If you are an EU/EEA national you will not receive an entry clearance vignette. Instead your immigration permission will be entirely digital and you should follow instructions in your visa decision letter about how to prove your immigration status.

Exchange and study abroad students

If you need to apply for a visa before travelling, please check your CAS (Student visas) or visa support letter (Standard Visitor visas) carefully and ensure that you apply for it in good time. If for any reason, you do not receive your visa  in time to join the Orientation or begin your studies in-person, please update your online University registration form and contact ieo.incoming@surrey.ac.uk to let us know. 

Please note: 

  • If you are using a Visitor Visa to undertake a 1-semester exchange programme, then whether you need to apply for it before travelling or if  you will be granted it at the UK port of entry will depend on your nationality. For further details, please see our Study as a Visitor advice.
  • Successful Student Visa applicants from outside the EU/EEA will be issued with a digital immigration permission and should follow instructions in your visa decision about how to prove your immigration status. If your travel is delayed and you are unable to arrive within those dates please email internationaladvice@surrey.ac.uk as soon as possible.

Join a pre-departure webinar

Join one of our pre-departure briefing webinars to get ready for your journey to Surrey. We’ll guide you through the next steps, share essential information, offer helpful tips and advice, and give you the opportunity to ask your questions live.

The webinars will take place at the following dates and times:

  • Wednesday 3 December 2025, 10am - 11am (GMT)
  • Thursday 11 December 2025, 10am - 11am (GMT)
  • Thursday 8 January 2026, 10am - 11am (GMT)
  • Thursday 15 January 2026, 10am - 11am (GMT)

Book onto a webinar now

Before you leave

As an international student coming to study at the University of Surrey, there are a number of things you must do before you travel to the UK.

International pre-departure checklist

Make sure you complete these actions before you get here.

What to pack

It's good to be prepared for living in the UK.

Arrival information

Be prepared for your arrival in the UK and travelling to the campus.

Arriving in the UK

When you arrive in the UK, you will need to go through passport control and customs.

Travelling to the University

We have great connections to Heathrow and Gatwick airports.

International welcome and orientation

Information, guidance and support for your first few weeks at Surrey.

UK arrival checklist

Find out what to expect during your first few weeks when you arrive.

Search MySurrey Help

MySurrey Help is full of useful advice and information for international students.

MySurrey Help

Search MySurrey Help to find useful articles about life at Surrey